In a conversation with a detective posing as a hit man, Julia Charlene Merfeld of Muskegon, Mich., says killing her husband would be "easier than divorcing him." / WZZM-TV, Grand Rapids, Mich.

by USA TODAY

by USA TODAY

MUSKEGON, Mich. (AP) - An investigation into a woman's efforts to solicit the murder of her husband included videotaped meetings with an undercover police detective.

On the video, Julia Charlene Merfeld, 20, of Muskegon is heard telling the detective posing as a hit man that the killing would be "easier than divorcing him." Merfeld said that if her 27-year-old husband was killed, she wouldn't have to worry about her family's judgment or "breaking his heart."

Two videos made in April were released to WZZM-TV 13 by prosecutors.

Authorities say Merfeld wanted her husband's $400,000 life insurance policy, and promised to pay $50,000 for the killing.

Merfeld pleaded guilty last month to soliciting a murder. She's jailed ahead of sentencing July 30 and is expected to face prison time.

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